The National Environment Board (NEB) has approved the first phase of the high-speed train project from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

The board has, however, warned over the possible environmental effects on Bueng Boraphet, a large freshwater swamp and lake in central Thailand, that the train is set to transverse. The board on Thursday approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study for the high-speed train project.

But the board recommended monitoring and implementation measures to limit the impact on Bueng Boraphet in Nakhon Sawan province.